GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT TENNIS STRING FOR YOU

The choice of strings on a racket are as important as the racket itself. However, for most people, racket strings are just an after thought, as they spend months researching rackets, but only a few seconds choosing strings. I’m not saying you should spend months trying out every string under the sun, but you should spend a few minutes just reading through this, you may learn a lot about the strings in your racket. Not all strings (and string tensions) are correct for every player. Each player has different needs and preferences. Here are a few guidelines to make selection easier.

There are now hundreds of strings available on the market, so how do you decide which ones to go for? Over the years, strings have evolved from natural gut via synthetic gut and multi-filaments to the latest polyester strings. 

  • Polyesters - The most popular and best for string-breakers, great for spin although firmer on your arm.

  • Multifilament strings - Modern replacement for natural gut but playable in all weathers and more durable.

  • Synthetic Gut - For good all round performance, not as durable as polyesters.

  • Natural Gut - The original and most playable, but not the most durable.

There is always a compromise between playability and durability, with natural gut and multifilament strings being the most playable and Poly strings being the most durable. This has led to the current fashion for combining different strings on the mains (vertical) and crosses (horizontal). For example, Roger Federer uses Wilson Natural Gut for his main strings, and Luxilon ALU Power Rough for his cross strings, whereas Andy Murray uses Luxilon ALU Power for his main strings, and Babolat VS Touch for his cross strings.

Playability (Natural Gut and Multifilaments)

  • Generally, a playable string snaps back quickly upon ball impact.

  • The material, construction, and thickness of a string will all affect the playability of a string.

  • The best string for playability at this time is still natural gut (natural product made from beef intestines).

  • Some of the latest Multifilament strings are a more than adequate substitute and given that they are more durable than Natural Gut, they are a better alternative to Natural gut for the majority of players.

Durability (Polyester)

  • The modern polyesters are now much softer on the arm than when they first came onto the market although firmer than Synthetic Gut, Gut and Multifilaments.

  • Great for generating spin, many of these strings are not spherical therefore create more abrasion on contact (Hyper G -square and Hepta Twist - hexagonal) .

  • Increased durability in tennis strings is usually at the expense of playability, although modern softer polyester strings like the Alu Power Feel or Pro Hurricane Tour have excellent playability.

  • If you hit with a lot of topspin you will need to use a polyester based string, I broke synthetic gut within a week coaching this summer.

All round Strings (Synthetic Gut)

  • These are a good choice if you are not sure what you would like or require.

  • Less durability than polyester but better playability and feel.

  • Greater durability than natural gut and multifilaments with a little less playability.

  • More than adequate string if you hit the ball flat (without much spin).

String Gauge Guide

  • Generally speaking, thinner strings offer improved playability while thicker strings offer enhanced durability.

  • Tennis string gauges range from 15 (thickest) to 19 (thinnest), with half-gauges identified with an L (15L, 16L, etc), which is short for “light”.

  • Thinner strings also provide more spin potential by allowing the strings to embed into the ball more.

  • Obviously, the thinner the gauge, the more powerful the string, with lots of spin potential. BUT the string will be less durable, but you could allow for that by going for a really thin, durable string.

  • Gauge 15 (1.35 mm) was the standard gauge for tennis.

  • Gauge 16 (1.30 mm) is the most popular gauge for tennis (optimum level of durability and power)

  • Gauge 17 (1.25 mm) is "thinner than normal" gauge for tennis and normal for the more durable polyester

  • Gauge 18 (1.20 mm) is the thinnest gauge for tennis.

Stringing Tensions Guidelines (Mains & Crosses)

  • Each racket has its own tension range (shown in the technical spec of each racket).

  • The optimum tension for the majority of people is mid-tension. We would recommend picking a tension 1 or 2 lbs more than mid as rackets lose tension fairly quickly.

  • You can then adjust your requirement appropriately to even tighter or looser (towards the upper or lower end of the range).

  • Generally speaking, the higher the tension, you get more control (less power). The lower the tension, you get more power (less control).

  • The higher the tension, the more impact on your arm.

  • If you go for a durable POLY string for both mains and crosses, you should reduce the tension by up to 10% as poly strings have less give in them, and can cause arm issues.

  • You can use the same mains and crosses , but you can ask for custom mains and crosses ie a Hybrid selection from any of the strings on offer.